Route
Chengdu to ChongqingChongqing to Chengdu: take the train or fly?
Two big cities an hour and a bit apart, with a train roughly every 15 minutes. Nothing about this trip needs planning except knowing which station you're leaving from and which one you arrive at — Chongqing has several.
Chengdu 成都
Chengdu East
Chongqing 重庆
Chongqing North
- 2nd class
- from ¥138 ≈ $19
- business to ¥440
- Departures
- ~140/day
- 06:00–22:30
- Train types
- G · D · C
- Flight
- no flights — too short
There's no real alternative. It's a 75-minute hop between neighbouring cities with a departure every quarter of an hour; a flight would mean two airport transfers for time in the air barely longer than boarding.
Should you take the train or fly?
Take the train — there isn’t a sensible alternative. The two cities are about 300 km apart, the fastest trains do it in around 1 hour 15 minutes, and there’s a departure every 15 minutes or so through the day. Flying would add two airport runs to save nothing.
Price is a non-issue. Second class is usually around ¥138 — under $20. Business seat, if you want the space for 75 minutes, is about ¥440.
Stations, tickets and what to expect
Which stations. Most services run Chengdu East (Chengdudong) to Chongqing North (Chongqingbei). Some use Chengdu South, and some arrive at Chongqing West instead. The one thing to get right: Chongqing North has two separate concourses (north square and south square) that are a walk apart — check which one your train uses and leave time.
How to book. Trip.com or the 12306 app; choose “passport” as the ID type. The ticket is electronic — scan your passport at the gate.
Seat classes. Second class is completely fine for an hour. There’s little reason to pay up on a trip this short.
Luggage. Carry-on only in practice; no check-in, no weigh-in.
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FAQ
Common questions
How long is the train from Chengdu to Chongqing?
About 1 hour 15 minutes on the fastest G-trains, up to around 2 hours on slower services. Roughly 140 trains run each day.
How much does it cost?
Second class is roughly ¥85–191 depending on the train, usually about ¥138. First class is around ¥220 and business seat about ¥440. Fares don't surge, but Golden Week and Chinese New Year sell out.
Which stations does it use?
Most trains run Chengdu East (Chengdudong) to Chongqing North (Chongqingbei). Some use Chengdu South or Chongqing West. Check the station names on your ticket — Chongqing North in particular has separate north and south concourses, so allow extra time.
Should I fly instead?
No. The cities are about 300 km apart; by the time you reach an airport, check in and travel into town at the other end, the train has long since arrived.
Can I do Chongqing as a day trip from Chengdu?
You can, but it's a stretch — Chongqing is vertical and spread out. An overnight is better if you want more than a quick look.
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